Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery, founded in 1419, is one of the "Great Three" Gelug university monasteries of Tibet, together with Ganden and Drepung. At its peak it housed over 5,000 monks; today roughly 600 reside here. The monastery's most celebrated attraction is its afternoon debate session, held each weekday in a shaded courtyard of ancient trees. Monks in maroon robes engage in rapid-fire philosophical debates, punctuating their arguments with loud claps and dramatic gestures to challenge their opponent's reasoning — a centuries-old pedagogical tradition unique to Tibetan Buddhism. The complex also contains beautiful assembly halls and chapels with elaborate murals depicting the Gelug lineage. The debate normally begins around 3 pm; arrive early to secure a good vantage point.